Anya looked up as Dawn came back into the bedroom. “What are they doing in
there; are they getting impatient?”

“They’re talking about old TV shows or something.” Dawn shook her head.
“Don’t get me wrong; I love that those two are getting along, but all they
ever do is joke around. I don’t think they’ve ever talked seriously about
what happened.”

“That’s how guys bond. They don’t have deep emotional discussions like
women do; they insult each other. I don’t know why, but it seems to work
for them.” Anya straightened out her clothing and took a look in the
mirror; Dawn glanced up as she put on her shoes.

“That looks great on you!”

“Yeah, I’m glad I let you talk me into getting it.” She eyed Dawn’s outfit
and gave her a wicked smile. “Spike is gonna love that!” Dawn gave
her a look that said she knew exactly what Spike’s reaction would be.

“You think?” Anya shook her head and laughed.

“You are evil.”

“Yep, that’s me. You ready?”

“Let’s go.”

Spike and Xander had turned on the TV after Dawn left the first time and
were now engrossed in an old horror movie. Spike was complaining about how
fake and unbelievable it was when he caught sight of Dawn in the doorway.
She just stood there motionless, and he marveled at how beautiful she was
and how she always managed to stun him. She was wearing some sort of top
that bore a strong resemblance to a corset. Green satin trimmed with black
lace and ribbon, the way it hugged her curves was absolute perfection. She
had paired it with a simple, floor length, black skirt slung low on her
hips. Simple, that is, until she moved. Then he saw that each side had a
slit in it all the way up to her hips exposing generous glimpses of leg
with every step she took. It was sexy as hell. Spike looked up, his gaze
heated, and Dawn smiled in satisfaction. Anya walked in behind her and
Spike glanced at Xander in time to see his eyes light up in appreciation.

“You didn’t tell us where we’re going,” Anya admonished. “So I hope this
is appropriate.” She wore royal blue harem pants and a matching
halter-style top that left her midriff bare. She wore her hair in a
stylish upsweep that suited her beautifully while Dawn had worked some
magic on her own hair that caused it to fall softly around her face in a
riot of curls.

“So?” Dawn prompted. “Do we pass inspection?” Xander glanced his way.

“What do you think?” Spike crossed his arms and circled Dawn slowly before
replying,

“Well, I don’t know…” Dawn shot him a look and he laughed as he pulled her
into his arms. “You two know you look gorgeous so quit fishing for
compliments!”

“We’re not fishing; we just wish we knew where you’re taking us.”

“You’ll see soon enough.” Xander took Anya’s hand. “Ready to go?” They
nodded and everyone headed for the car.

“Wow, I was not expecting the symphony.” Anya nodded in agreement,
her gaze taking in the ornate beauty of the concert hall.

“Are you disappointed?” Spike asked in concern.

“Oh, no! This is wonderful. I just, I might have worn something a little
more…conservative if I’d known where we were going.” Anya glanced up, her
hand covering her stomach.

“Yeah. I’m not sure it’s appropriate for me to
be exposing my navel in a place like this.” Spike shook his head.

“Xander checked when we got the tickets; you guys are fine. They don’t
like people to wear jeans or shorts and t-shirts, but other than that
they’re pretty liberal. Some people go formal; some people wear the
clothes they wear to the office.” He smiled at Anya. “I’m fairly certain
bare midriffs are acceptable.” Dawn took his hand and leaned into his
side.

“Good, then this is officially wonderful! I love this kind of stuff, and
Anya’s really gotten into classical music lately.”

“Oh, please!” Anya laughingly interjected. “I’ve been a fan of classical
for longer than you’ve been alive. Beethoven? Mozart? Chopin? I saw them
perform their masterpieces themselves!”

“Longer than I’ve been alive? I’m way older than you, little girl,” Dawn
said with a grin. Anya waved a hand dismissively.

“Your ‘ball-of-energy’ years don’t count. I’m talking human years.”

“Then I’d have to say your thousand years as a demon don’t count either.”

“So? I’m still older than you.” Dawn smiled pleasantly.

“It shows.” Anya shot her a look and smiled as she shook her head.

“You’re lucky we’re in public, but don’t think I’m going to just let that
comment slide.” They both laughed and Spike and Xander exchanged amused
looks.

“Really guys,” Dawn said seriously. “This is a wonderful surprise.”

“Ah, and this isn’t even the only surprise,” Xander beamed.

“Yeah. Later you get to walk home,” Spike managed to say without cracking
a grin. Anya looked disconcerted and Xander choked on a laugh.

“See,” Dawn began. “I know that’s a joke unless someone is dying
for an ass-kicking.” Spike pulled her close and kissed her lightly on the
lips.

“We’ll see.” Dawn smacked him, and they all laughed.

“So, what is the other surprise?” Anya asked.

“Wait, wait,” Dawn said, holding up her hand. “Let’s just be surprised;
it’s kinda fun.” Anya nodded in agreement, and Xander suggested they find
their seats.

* *
* *

“You lousy son-of-a-bitch,” Sorcha raged, rubbing her still-tender wrists
as the two of them headed for breakfast. “I could have died in
there!”

“You know what I mean, darling! I’m all for fun and games, but if
you ever try something like that again – I will kill you.” She felt
her demon surge forward as he burst out laughing.

“I’d pay to see that,” he chuckled as they entered the dining room. In the
blink of an eye she had busted one of the chairs against the wall and
tackled him to the floor. Her features shifted as she held the splintered
chair leg over his chest.

“Today, I’ll do it for free!” Knocking her arm aside, he caught her in the
jaw with a hard right and flipped her onto her back.

“Why don’t we just get this over with, hmm? You’re obviously itching for
it,” he derided as he shoved her dress up and pushed into her. Sorcha
moved against him desperately; he’d left her frustrated last night, and it
didn’t take long for her to get there. He bit the side of her neck hard as
they came, quickly pushing her away afterwards. He smiled, straitening his
clothes as he watched her climb to her feet. “Now can we eat?” She nodded
slightly, her features filled with satisfaction.

“I want the brunette,” she demanded as they approached the two girls
chained in the corner. “She looks delicious.”

* *
* *

“How did you guys get a reservation here?” Dawn asked, staring around the
restaurant in wonder. “I heard this place was booked for the whole year.”

“Ask Harris,” Spike said. “He’s the one with the connections.”

“You have connections?” Anya said in surprise. “We have connections?
Here?” Xander smiled.

“I know the owner’s daughter. When Spike and I decided to do this I just
gave her a call and she set it up for us.”

“Excuse me,” Anya interjected. “The owner’s daughter? And how
exactly do you know this girl?”

“She’s married to my cousin,” he explained.

“Oh. Well that’s okay then.”

“You just barely pulled your ass out of the fire on that one,” Spike
smirked.

“So,” Dawn said as she opened her menu. “What is everyone getting?”

“Do you think it’d raise any eyebrows if I ordered a big glass of blood?”
Xander didn’t even bother to glance up from his menu as he replied,

“Well, it’s bound to raise a few eyebrows, especially if the waiter
notices that.” They all turned to see what he was pointing at.

“Oh my God!” Dawn whispered as she noticed the mirrored wall across the
restaurant. Then she giggled as Spike picked up the centerpiece and moved
it around. “Would you quit that?” She smacked his hand lightly. “The
mirror is far enough away that people probably won’t notice. Unless
you start clowning around, so no wacky high jinks!”

“What would they even do if they did notice?” Anya wondered, and
Xander glanced up with a smile.

“Yeah, can you picture the maitre d’ – ‘Sir, are you aware your reflection
is missing?’ I think this place is way too highbrow to point out
someone’s, uh…quirks.” They laughed and Dawn said,

“Even so, I think a nice steak cooked rare will do fine. Yummy goodness
and a little blood in the mix to top it off.”

“Well, Xander called a few days ago, but other than that not a peep.”
Willow walked in and Tara waved her over to the phone. “Is something
wrong, Mr. Giles? You sound upset.”

“What’s going on?” Willow mouthed. Tara shook her head and shrugged.

“I’m not really sure,” Giles was saying. “We’ve had some weird goings on
over here, and I’m not quite sure what it means.”

“Do you need to speak with Willow; she just got home.”

“No, there’s no need, but I wonder…”

“What?”

“A particular book seems to be missing from my library. You girls have a
rather extensive collection of occult literature, correct?”

“That’s right; do you need one of our books? We could send it-”

“That’s not necessary, but could you check into something for me?”

“Sure. Just let me get something to write with.” Willow handed her a pad
and pen. “Here we go; now what do you need?”

“Do you have a copy of the Uldarian Text?” Tara glanced over at Willow.

“Uldarian Text?” Willow nodded. “Yep, that’s one of ours.” She jotted it
down as she spoke.

“I need you to look up a group called the Jhidhara.” He spelled it for
her. “Find out their rituals, their practices, their beliefs, specifically
something called the Rite of Letum.”

“Annihilation?” Tara repeated with dread.

“Yes, it doesn’t sound very good, does it?”

“It really doesn’t.” She shot Willow a look. “Do you want us to
call the others?”

“If you wouldn’t mind. I’ve a feeling Dawn may have some useful
information on the matter, but every time I try to contact her…” His voice
trailed off.

“What?”

“Well,
my calls won’t go through; it’s the strangest thing. I’ll keep trying of
course, but there is a lot going on here that needs to be taken care of.
You wouldn’t believe some of things…”

“What exactly is going on out there?”

“Mutilations, eviscerations, what appears to be ritual sacrifice, some
sort of-”

“I get the picture,” Tara broke in as nausea swamped her.

“Yes. Sorry,” Giles said.

“So, we’ll get right on this and let you know what we find out.”

“Thank you, Tara. I’ll talk to you later then.”

“Bye.”

“Bye.” Willow watched as Tara hung up.

“What’s going on?” she asked in concern.

“I don’t know, but Giles is scared and that’s never good.” Willow nodded
in agreement. “He wants us to look this stuff up for him.” Willow looked
down at what Tara had written.

“Well, let’s get to it.”

“Tonight was wonderful,” Dawn whispered, kissing Spike’s neck as he fit
his key in the lock. Drawing her inside, he turned to push her up against
the door as it clicked shut.

“You have been driving me crazy all night with this out fit,” he
muttered against her lips. His hand moved to the split side of her skirt,
and she smiled as his fingers moved softly along her bare thigh. Her arms
went around his shoulders as his mouth moved hungrily on hers. One hand
moved up to weave itself into the softness of his hair as the other
caressed his back, and she let out a soft moan, pulling away slightly to
whisper,

“That’s kind of the reaction I was going for.” Keeping one hand on her
leg, he moved his other hand up to push her hair back from her face.
Moving his thumb over her bottom lip he said raggedly,

“Well, it worked.” She nipped at his thumb and he groaned, pulling her
mouth back to his as she shoved his jacket down off his shoulders. He
pulled her leg up to wrap around his hip, pressing against her as their
mouths moved together desperately. Pushing him backwards, she turned
suddenly, dragging him to the floor with her. Kicking off her shoes, she
ripped at his shirt, hungry for the feel of his skin. His mouth moved down
her throat and he tugged at her top. After struggling for a few moments he
pulled away, his voice a harsh groan, “How do you get this bloody thing
off?”

Arching
seductively, she reached back to release the catch. Spike slid it down her
arms and, tossing it aside, he moved his mouth over the newly exposed
flesh. Dawn ran her foot down the back of his leg, reaching for the snap
of his pants. She moaned as he took her nipple into his mouth, and her
hands clutched at him. He rolled to his back to kick his pants off, and
she followed him, placing kisses on his neck and chest and anywhere else
she could reach. His arms came up around her, fingers trailing up her
spine making her shiver against him.

Spike
twisted so he was leaning over her again. Holding her gaze, he slowly slid
his hand down her body, drawing her leg up slightly and caressing the
inside of her thigh. He groaned as his fingers moved higher, slipping
inside her panties to find her wet and wanting. He moved his mouth against
hers, nipping lightly at her bottom lip as he continued to stroke her, the
roughness of his fingers creating an almost unbearable friction. Dawn
moaned, clinging to him as his mouth moved to her breast. She drew her
knees up, her thighs brushing his hips as she moved against his hand. She
pulled him back up, her mouth sliding wetly along his throat as she moved
to whisper in his ear,

“I need
you inside me.” He gave her a wicked smile, and she moaned as his fingers
continued their torture.

“Not
yet.”

He left
moist kisses along her jaw, her neck, and continuing down her body as he
slid her skirt off over her hips. Her panties were next and then his mouth
was moving against the inside of her leg, his tongue slipping higher and
higher until she was gasping with pleasure. He had done this so many times
and yet every time he took her to new heights, honing her need ever
sharper, and twisting her desire until it was so tight she thought she
might explode. Her breath came faster as tension spread through her body,
clawing at her insides and begging to be released. Bright light flashed
behind her eyes as her thoughts splintered in a million different
directions, and all she could focus on was the pleasure.

He
moved back up over her then, sliding inside, and she moaned again at the
feel of him so deep within her. Their eyes met as he began to move, and he
rested his forehead against hers as she wrapped herself tightly around
him. They rocked together slowly, drawing out the sensation and Dawn
arched into him reflexively, trying to get closer. Their mouths met in a
series of deep, drugging kisses as their tempo slowly began to increase.
She ran her hands down his arms and then back up, sliding them into his
hair. The tension was building inside her again, tightening and twisting,
pulling her slowly toward the abyss. She rolled suddenly, maneuvering so
that Spike wound up on his back as she moved on top of him.

“What-?”

“I want
you to see the stars.” She kissed him deeply as her climax hit her,
rolling over her with startling intensity. Dawn moved to bury her face in
the side of Spike’s neck, and the room spun around them as he followed her
over the edge.

“It’s
beautiful,” he whispered reverently, and then they were back at the house
lying together on the carpet in a mass of tangled limbs as they slowly
regained their senses. Spike reached up to stroke her back, kissing her
gently on the shoulder. “You always take me somewhere new. I didn’t even
know that so many dimensions existed.”

“Infinite,” she said softly. He pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Hmm?”

“Infinite possibilities, infinite dimensions.” She touched her lips to his
in a gentle kiss, sighing happily as his hands continued to move over her
skin. “We should head for the bedroom; it’s getting a little chilly out
here.”

“Okay.”
She moved off of him and watched as he gathered up their clothes.

“Hey,
Spike?”

“Yeah?”

“I love
you.” He pulled her into his arms for a kiss.

“I love
you too, sweet.” She stroked her hand down his chest, and a mischievous
smile lit her face.

“You
know…” Her voice trailed off wickedly.

“What?”
he prompted.

“I
didn’t even get to model my other new…outfit for you.” He watched
as she turned and made her way down the hall, naked body swaying
seductively. Dropping the clothes he’d retrieved, he quickly followed.

“I’m a
little busy here, darlin’. You mind harassing me later?” She marched in,
tearing the phone from his hand and flinging it against the wall.

“I
don’t even know why you bother with this- this- nonsense! You’re not
human; you’re not part of their world. Why do you act as if you are?”

“It’s
called ‘blending in’, sweetheart. Something you should start learning how
to do.” He ran his gaze over her derisively. “You dress like a whore.”

“I
don’t have the patience for your insults right now. Have they begun or
haven’t they?” she demanded through gritted teeth.

“Rhiannon tells me they’ve spread to the necessary locations, and things
are progressing smoothly.” A smile lit her face and she dropped into his
lap, winding her arms around his neck.

“Well,
that’s just wonderful! Have they gotten the witch?”

“Marcus
went himself.”

“We
have to have her for the final ritual; I can’t do it on my own.”

“And
you’re sure she’ll help?”

“Positive.”

“Good,”
Lucius said, removing her arms from around his neck. “Now get off me; I
have business to attend to.”

“Yes,
you do,” she agreed as she produced the knife she’d brought from the
kitchen. She dragged it slowly down his cheek, licking her lips as he
began to bleed. “Me.”

* *
* *

At
first she thought it was a dream, but she quickly realized where she was.
This place was comforting and familiar, but she’d never expected to be
back here.

“It’s good to see you again, Dawn. Welcome back.”

“Why
am I here? Am I dying?”

“Definitely not. You’re here for information.”

“What kind of information.”

“You
seem to be under the impression that you would somehow know if danger were
about to strike. It is unwise to assume that you will receive fair warning
of any and all impending doom.”

“But, I thought – ”

“There are dark forces at work against you, powerful forces. For every one
of your strengths there is an opposing power just as strong. Many things
may remain hidden from you until it is too late; your gifts are not
absolute.”

“What do you mean? Has something happened?”

“You
already know, but it’s hidden within your mind. You must pull back the
curtain.” There was a long silence before she understood.